Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Honda Accord Sedan V6 Touring

[Rupert]

   It seems to me that a strut brace might be the easiest and lightest way of improving strut tower stiffness needed or not. It probably would effectively double it in hard cornering with the load on the outer tower...by adding the stiffness of the inner tower which would be lighter loaded. At least if what I prceive as the reason for it, is correct.
   Some sportier Accents (if you will) had strut tower braces. What difference it made is unknown...the regular models had none.

[jaari]

I know this is about the Accord but this is  the response about my comment :
Awesome power awesome milage but just a list of issues my '11 Sonata has had:
Dash gauges replaced due to blown lcd screen,srs computer replaced,tie rods, sway links,chronically clunky suspension though I'm told every thing is tight (it sounds like a 10 year old beater going over bumps etc slowly upon higher speeds it quietens down) trunk edges kept contacting sides of body when shutting and chipping badly  ( i always pull it with a mild tug from the handle) the tail lights 'points' on the rear fenders were rubbing the paint off to bare metal, trunk had  rust pitting under the paint just before the weather stripping meets, was fixed twice paint keep's coming off and its rusting in '3' 2 mm spots (awaiting another paint repair) car is very very sensitive to the wind with proper pressures, alignment etc,NUMEROUS creeks and rattles the worse from the a pillar where it meets the dash 3 fixes still sounds like styrofoam rubbing in the summer in winter it makes cracking popping sounds like theres a spot weld missing somewhere in the cowl etc. Theres a vibration that comes and goes seems to be there most in 6th gear.
car starter is flakey, engine is very noisy (could barely hear the engine when new or the gdi) now it sounds like a tractor in the cabin, engine rattles on deceleration when it down shifts at about 45 kmh  .
chronic e brake seizing problems and dragging fixed 3 times, now e brake  pedals loose, brakes release with a clunk some days it doesn't engage tight enough most days now.
My last Hyundai I think, my first was a 85 Pony I never had these issues. Have had 4 Hyundais before, HMC Canada couldn't give a rats a$$ about me and the problems this car has had nothing but dealer maintenance because everything was free up to 80,000 kms even wipers...
I have bad luck with alot of stuff, my LG washer wont give hot water anymore after a year, and it squeaks when spinning.
If I found a pot of gold, I think there would be a tax collector sitting on it. 

[whaddaiknow]

...I have bad luck with alot of stuff, my LG washer wont give hot water anymore after a year, and it squeaks when spinning.
If I found a pot of gold, I think there would be a tax collector sitting on it. 

Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Looks like you have two options:
1) go for a well established brand with solid reputation for build quality and reliability (Toyota/Lexus)
2) buy a POS beater for next to nothing so you know rattles and creaks are part of the package  (kidding)

My love affair with Huyndai entered its new phase now. After having two ('07 Santa fe and '07 Entourage), with another two currently owned by extended family, I see why they are offered at a discount - they are built to last while under warranty, and you have to trade it before it expires if you want to get any money for it. By no means are Hyundais bad cars, they are just not the top tier yet.

This Accord is priced very aggressively and the very well equipped 4-cyl EX-L model can be had for a hair under $30k. Hyundai will have to step up their game in terms of durability now rather than stuffing their cars with all possible gizmos if they want to "join the club" as it seems the "big" boys are resourceful enough to counter Hyundai's packaging and marketing trickery to stay ahead.

[mixmanmash]

While this V6 engine is pretty good, it is starting to get dated.  It's time for Honda to redo their entire V6 lineup in all Honda/Acura products.  I can't see them adding DI to this engine without redoing their entire lineup.  They need to come up to the times a little bit by having a timing chain versus a belt that needs to be replaced every 100,000kms.  That is not a cheap service and certainly increases total cost of ownership.

[Spheric]

I hope the Accord has an auto-light function or some other safety design that mitigates the risk of me driving in dark stealth mode on a winter's night invisible to all other drivers. Lack of this would be more of a deal breaker than any engine or transmission choice.

[Jaeger]

Sorry to hear of your troubles bigjodyg - I'd certainly be disappointed if I were in your shoes. But my experience with my '11 Sonata could not be more different.  Like my Altima and Maxima before it, I have had zero problems, and everything is tight after nearly two years.  Aside from the well publicized left-pull issue that afflicted some early 11s, I haven't really heard of many widespread problems with the Sonata - and I have been pretty active on Sonata boards where people gripe about every little thing they're not happy with.

My love affair with Huyndai entered its new phase now. After having two ('07 Santa fe and '07 Entourage), with another two currently owned by extended family, I see why they are offered at a discount - they are built to last while under warranty, and you have to trade it before it expires if you want to get any money for it. By no means are Hyundais bad cars, they are just not the top tier yet.

I'm pretty confident in saying that 2013 Hyundais are better across the board that 2007 Hyundais.

[Allen]

I hope the Accord has an auto-light function or some other safety design that mitigates the risk of me driving in dark stealth mode on a winter's night invisible to all other drivers. Lack of this would be more of a deal breaker than any engine or transmission choice.

it does

[whaddaiknow]

I'm pretty confident in saying that 2013 Hyundais are better across the board that 2007 Hyundais.

Agreed. But so are the Honda's and Toyota's. Many may say that the Japanese are resting on their lawrels but I hardly think that's the case. The latest Camry and Accord are true testaments to that. The Civic overhaul just one year into the new model speaks to that too. Just last night I sat in the new Avalon and was VERY IMPRESSED. Getting back into my 3-series felt like a major downgrade so luxurious and comfortable the interior of the new Avalon is.

So, while no question that the Hyundais today are better than 5 years ago, the Japanese do just enough to stay that little bit ahead.

My in-laws keep buying the Santa Fe's (planning to replace their current one with the new model this year) but their main arguments are:
1) "I can't get anything else for the same money" with the same level of content
2) "I trade in when the car is still under warranty and get a good deal because I stick with the same brand"

They are not enthusiasts or nit-pickers and couldn't care less about the steering feel or the quality of the leather. Bottomline forms 95% of their decision making. But I can clearly see how quickly and consistently the car deteriorates so I'm done with Hyundai's for now. It's been 5 Hyundais in the family in the last 5 years, so it's a formed opinion by now.

[Jaeger]

. It's been 5 Hyundais in the family in the last 5 years, so it's a formed opinion by now.

Yes, it's a formed opinion - but it is also quite dated - 2007 is 6 model years ago.  But you're more than entitled to it.  I'm not trying to sell you a Hyundai.

I'm not sure that it is accurate to say that, today, the Japanese are consistently ahead of Hyundai across the board - though that may be the case for any number of specific models.  I would rank my Sonata ahead of the previous Accord (a car I know well - my Dad drives one) and at least a couple car mags agreed with that assessment in head-to-head comparisons when the '11 Sonata first came out. 

It would surprise me not in the least that the new Camry and Accord have surpassed it - if your new entry into the highly competitive midsize segment doesn't debut near the top, that's a big stumble.  The Sonata, while not an 'old' model, is now one of the segment seniors.  Camcordima all have new models.  I would expect newer entries to be better - not because they are Japanese, but because they are newer designs.  But while nobody would have looked at the '07 Sonata as a serious competitor to the Accord (to use your very dated touchstone reference point) that is simply no longer the case. 

Avalon?  I'm sure it's very nice.  And I'm sure the even older Genesis sedan would stack up very well against it.

[whaddaiknow]

. It's been 5 Hyundais in the family in the last 5 years, so it's a formed opinion by now.

Yes, it's a formed opinion - but it is also quite dated - 2007 is 6 model years ago.  But you're more than entitled to it.  I'm not trying to sell you a Hyundai.

I'm not sure that it is accurate to say that, today, the Japanese are consistently ahead of Hyundai across the board - though that may be the case for any number of specific models.  I would rank my Sonata ahead of the previous Accord (a car I know well - my Dad drives one) and at least a couple car mags agreed with that assessment in head-to-head comparisons when the '11 Sonata first came out. 

It would surprise me not in the least that the new Camry and Accord have surpassed it - if your new entry into the highly competitive midsize segment doesn't debut near the top, that's a big stumble.  The Sonata, while not an 'old' model, is now one of the segment seniors.  Camcordima all have new models.  I would expect newer entries to be better - not because they are Japanese, but because they are newer designs.  But while nobody would have looked at the '07 Sonata as a serious competitor to the Accord (to use your very dated touchstone reference point) that is simply no longer the case. 

Avalon?  I'm sure it's very nice.  And I'm sure the even older Genesis sedan would stack up very well against it.

The latest Hyundai in the family is the 2010 model, not 2007. So I am talking about bery recent history. And what Hyundai did for the Santa Fe in the 2010 model year (mind you, it was just a mid-cycle refresh):
1) Deleted the cool dual exhaust (that my 2007 had)
2) deleted the roof rack and mud flaps.
3) added blue tooth that doesn't work very well
4) Changed the wheel size so my in-laws had to sell their old set and buy a new one.
5) bumped up the engine from 3.3l to 3.5l and put the 6-speed tranny.

Other than that, it's the same car.

if your new entry into the highly competitive midsize segment doesn't debut near the top, that's a big stumble

Tell it to GM and Cryco with their Malibu et al finishing smack at the bottom of the pack right off the bat 

Avalon?  I'm sure it's very nice.  And I'm sure the even older Genesis sedan would stack up very well against it.

In the reviews? Maybe. But subjectively, the old Genesis won't hold the candle to the new Avalon. This poster would not even go back to the Hyundai dealership for a second look at the (old) Genesis after seeing the new Avalon. And Genesis IS a good car.

[Jaeger]

The latest Hyundai in the family is the 2010 model, not 2007. So I am talking about bery recent history. And what Hyundai did for the Santa Fe in the 2010 model year (mind you, it was just a mid-cycle refresh

Yes - that's the point - it was a refresh, not a new model.  And you're still out of date - though not quite as badly so.  The Santa Fe is all new from the ground up for 2013.  I'm not sure what the refreshed 2010 has to tell us about the competitiveness of the new 2013 in today's market.

Tell it to GM and Cryco with their Malibu et al finishing smack at the bottom of the pack right off the bat 

Now don't go riling up the slappies! 

In the reviews? Maybe. But subjectively, the old Genesis won't hold the candle to the new Avalon. This poster would not even go back to the Hyundai dealership for a second look at the (old) Genesis after seeing the new Avalon. And Genesis IS a good car.

No subjective opinion can be wrong.  By definition, it varies in accordance with the individual.  Were I to state that, subectively, the new Avalon doesn't hold a candle to the old Genesis, I'd be just as right as you are (assuming I had actually driven both).

I will now try to (belatedly) end the Hyundai drift.    The Accord rocks!

[whaddaiknow]

...The Accord rocks!

That is difficult to disagree with. If one can overlook some design omissions like split folding seats and such (I don't think in my entire life I ever had to do that in any of the sedans I owned), the Accord is the new benchmark and great value to boot.

[Solstice2006]

I hope the Accord has an auto-light function or some other safety design that mitigates the risk of me driving in dark stealth mode on a winter's night invisible to all other drivers. Lack of this would be more of a deal breaker than any engine or transmission choice.

it does

I can't believe this is  not standard on all cars.  More important than stability control, if people can't see you, seems like that is more important.  Just an opinion

[Fobroader]

I hope the Accord has an auto-light function or some other safety design that mitigates the risk of me driving in dark stealth mode on a winter's night invisible to all other drivers. Lack of this would be more of a deal breaker than any engine or transmission choice.

it does

I can't believe this is  not standard on all cars.  More important than stability control, if people can't see you, seems like that is more important.  Just an opinion

  Ive had a few close calls on dark, snowy morning with morons that couldnt be bothered to turn their lights on.

[Northernridge]

I hope the Accord has an auto-light function or some other safety design that mitigates the risk of me driving in dark stealth mode on a winter's night invisible to all other drivers. Lack of this would be more of a deal breaker than any engine or transmission choice.

it does

I can't believe this is  not standard on all cars.  More important than stability control, if people can't see you, seems like that is more important.  Just an opinion

  Ive had a few close calls on dark, snowy morning with morons that couldnt be bothered to turn their lights on.

Funny this. I was driving home the other day just after sunset and was passing a guy who didn't have his headlights on. As I went by I poked the horn to get his attention then pointed to the lights trying to let him know. But I guess I gestured poorly because he gave me the finger an took off.

[Fobroader]

I hope the Accord has an auto-light function or some other safety design that mitigates the risk of me driving in dark stealth mode on a winter's night invisible to all other drivers. Lack of this would be more of a deal breaker than any engine or transmission choice.

it does

I can't believe this is  not standard on all cars.  More important than stability control, if people can't see you, seems like that is more important.  Just an opinion

  Ive had a few close calls on dark, snowy morning with morons that couldnt be bothered to turn their lights on.

Funny this. I was driving home the other day just after sun set and was passing a guy who didm't have his headlights on. As I went buy I poked the horn to get his attention then pointed to the lights trying to let him know. But I guess I gestured poorly because he gave me the finger an took off.

This is not the internationally accepted gesture for "turn on your facking headlights douchebag".......just to let you know 

[redman]

The V6 price premium in HP dollars is 34.57943925233645 per HP more than the I-4 vs V6 for the extra 107 ponies and another gear. Minus DI for the V6 also (hey have to have some to add next year)
They've priced it like a diesel option in North America. Take it someone got confused.

[safristi]

... her headlites are FULLY turning me on too..................

[Oldsguy]

The latest Hyundai in the family is the 2010 model, not 2007. So I am talking about bery recent history.

"Beis-bol been bery bery good to me."

[Seafoam]

The latest Hyundai in the family is the 2010 model, not 2007. So I am talking about bery recent history.

"Beis-bol been bery bery good to me."

The "b" is next to the "v" on the keyboard.